Tagesnachrichten 7. September 1998
     von ALBANEWS und anderen
     News of the day - September 7, 1998
     Kosova Information Center : Daily Report No 1545

         Die Bibel sagt  -  The Bible says
 

If available you find on this page  -  Soweit verfügbar finden Sie auf dieser Seite  1. Remarks - Hints - Special informations  2. Reports about deportation and persons repatriated to Kosova  in deutsch und englisch  3. Daily Report from KIC  (Kosova Information Center)  4. news from ARTA  (Koha ditore)  5. news from RFE/RL NEWSLINE  6. news from Fr. Sava  (Decani Monastery)  7. Reports from Human Rights Organisations      especially CDHRF  (Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms, Prishtina)  8. news from ATA /ENTER  and so on  9. eventual additional press news   Link to Background-information  Link to earlier news - so far as room is given by my provider on the server  The Bible says  -  Die Bibel sagt

 

1. Remarks - Hints - Special informations

There were no news at the time this page was updated !
 

2. Reports about deportation and persons repatriated to Kosova

erhaltene Berichte - received reports       Namensliste ==> Einzelheiten   /   list of names ==> details

Kennen Sie Fälle von Abschiebungen nach Kosova ? - Bitte senden Sie mir Ihren Bericht !
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Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT # 1545-A
Prishtina, 7 September 1998

First Edition: 15:00 hrs

President Rugova's Statement on Constitution of the Republic Day

PRISHTINA, Sept 7 (KIC) - On the occasion of 7th September, the day when eight years ago the Constitution of the Republic of Kosova was proclaimed, President Ibrahim Rugova issued a statement today. Following is the text of the statement.
(Begin text)
"After the announcement of the Independence Declaration of Kosova on 2 July 1990, the proclamation of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosova on 7 September 1990 marked a fundamental act for the state of Kosova. This important date in the modern history of Kosova set the legal and political foundations for the statehood of Kosova.
Today, eight years after the adoption of this grand act, the people of Kosova - although occupied and facing severe Serb forces' offensives - is strongly committed to building a democratic and civic society in Kosova. And, despite the suffering, they are committed to achieve independence for Kosova by political means.
In the face of current critical and difficult times, the people of Kosova will know how to overcome the grave situation, with the support and help of the democratic world, especially the United States of America and the European Union.
God bless the people of Kosova!"
(End text)

Shattuck and Dole Statements in Prishtina
Assistant Secretary Shattuck: "What Senator Dole and I have seen are horrendous human rights violations, violations of humanitarian law, and acts of punitive destruction on a massive scale."
Senator Dole: "American and European leaders have pledged not to allow the crimes against humanity which we witnessed in Bosnia to occur in Kosovo. But, from what I have seen this weekend, such crimes are already happening."

PRISHTINA, Sept 7 (KIC) - Assistant Secretary of State John Shattuck and Senator Bob Dole, chairman of the International Commission on Missing Persons, held a joint press conference Sunday, 6 September, after their two-day visit to Kosova.
Following are the statements the two U.S. officials made in Prishtina.
Assistant Secretary John Shattuck:
"I want to thank both the staff of Embassy Belgrade, USIS Pristina, and the officers and staff of the Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission for their superb work giving Senator Dole and me the opportunity to look first-hand at the human rights catastrophe that is occurring in Kosovo.
Senator Dole and I have been examining the situation since we arrived two days ago. Over this period, we have had the opportunity to meet with Kosovo's political, academic, and religious leadership, and to speak directly with eyewitnesses and victims of human rights atrocities. What Senator Dole and I have seen are horrendous human rights violations, violations of humanitarian law, and acts of punitive destruction on a massive scale.
We are deeply concerned about the plight of refugees and note that as each day passes we come closer to a humanitarian disaster. If the authorities do not take immediate action to stop the massive shelling of civilians and destruction of villages, the many thousands of people who are afraid to return to their homes will be at serious risk of freezing or starving. Belgrade cannot look away from the disaster it has created.
Today, I heard first-hand reports that security forces are separating men and boys from their families in villages and clusters of internally displaced persons. We have raised this issue directly with Belgrade today and plan to take it up with President Milosevic tomorrow. Mortar attacks on fleeing civilians, such as what occurred last week in Senik, are a common occurrence in Kosovo. The numbers of missing persons are growing. Kidnapping and detention by all sides must stop.
We have heard reports of mass grave sites in a number of areas, including Orahovac and Klecka. Without impartial forensic experts on the scene, no one will ever know even the names of the dead, to say nothing of who was responsible for killing them. We strongly urge the Yugoslav government to issue visas for Physicians for Human Rights, an independent association of forensic doctors that can resolve these critical questions. Investigating these sites is an urgent priority, and is in the interest of both Serbs and Albanians.
All that we have seen points to the urgent need for investigation and prosecution by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, the serious human rights violations and the current and expanding humanitarian crisis point to the urgent need for safe and unimpeded access to all parts of Kosovo by international non-governmental organizations.
Belgrade must stop denying them visas. Freedom of access for all must be restored.
Our larger goal is a democratic and peaceful region where civilians have control of their own lives. But first, the violence must stop.
The government must face up to the looming tragedy that could occur as early as October. Half measures will only exacerbate the problem. When I return to Washington, I will communicate my finding to the President and Secretary Albright. Thank you."
Senator Bob Dole:
"First, I would like to thank Assistant Secretary Shattuck, Ambassador Miles, the American Embassy and USIS staff, and the Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM) for arranging this critical fact-finding mission.
As the Secretary [Shattuck] has mentioned, we came here to assess first-hand the human rights and humanitarian situation. What we have seen is tremendous suffering - suffering that will only escalate dramatically once winter sets in a month from now. We spoke to Albanian families and Serb families - the elderly and the young.
Some of the people we met told us that they are living in the hills at night and coming to their homes during the day. And, they are the lucky ones. Today's rain will quickly turn to snow and the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons who are living day and night in the forests and hills will face freezing, as well as starvation.
We met Serb and Albanian mothers whose sons are missing. As Chairman of the International Commission on Missing Persons in the former Yugoslavia, I have met with mothers in Croatia, in Serbia and in Bosnia - where there are more than 20,000 registered missing. All mothers are desperate for answers about the fate of their loved ones. In that regard, I intend to press President Milosevic tomorrow for visas for forensic teams from physicians for human rights. These forensic experts are ready to assist in Kosovo, but have been waiting for months without a positive response to their visa request.
We also heard testimony from eye-witnesses to some of the crimes and atrocities that have been reported by the press. These accounts were chilling. American and European leaders have pledged not to allow the crimes against humanity which we witnessed in Bosnia to occur in Kosovo. But, from what I have seen this weekend, such crimes are already happening.
Clearly, there is a humanitarian disaster here that is rapidly developing into a humanitarian catastrophe of tremendous proportions. However, we must all recognize that the problem in Kosovo is not by definition a humanitarian one. This is a political and military crisis, whose symptoms are humanitarian. This is war against civilians for political purposes.
And so, I believe that the United States and our friends and allies who are legitimately concerned about the situation in Kosovo, must press for a cease-fire and a withdrawal of police, military forces.
Harassment, kidnapping, and attacks on civilians must be halted - by all the forces in Kosovo. If that is achieved, people will be able to return to their villages without fear. Moreover, then Serb and Albanian political leaders can engage in negotiations to achieve a permanent and lasting peace in Kosovo.
Finally, I would emphasize that it should be our goal to achieve a permanent peace built on democratic institutions. The Kosovars have lived without civil liberties and human rights for more than a decade. The options are not easy, but postponing the search for a genuine solution will not only prolong the agony for the Albanians, but for the Serbs, who also deserve democracy. Thank you."

Informatori daily: 'At the Close of a Wintry Summer in Kosova'
Reflections on the hibernation of NATO, lack of an ethical elite in Europe, pro-Serb interim settlement in Kosova, the morality of office in Prishtina, the imperative of saying 'no'

PRISHTINA, Sept 7 (KIC) - "The six months of summer in Kosova froze the hearts of many Albanians. While this happened, NATO, the U.S. and others, dozed. Those who were a bit less sleepy hunted down for excuses for their inaction. And intelligent idlers are very good at this. NATO set its sights high. Intelligent idlers have always done this in order to justify their idleness to their intelligence."
This is the beginning of an article by Muhamet Hamiti carried by the Prishtina-based Informatori evening newspaper, dated 6 September 1998.
The writer reflects on the current situation in Kosova and the utterly inadequate international reaction to it.
"NATO has been hibernating this summer. A sleepy exercise was what NATO was engaged in in Albania in August. Such will be the next one in Macedonia. Because the exercises will be conducted around Kosova borders, but will be directed against nobody, the American commander of the "Cooperative Assembly '98" maneuver in Albania said. Now the Americans are saying the NATO contingency plans for any eventuality are by and large complete.", the Albanian-language Informatori writer notes.
Mr. Hamiti goes on to say: "These past six summer months, while Albanians were being killed in their homes and villages, on the street and in the towns, but also in makeshift shelters of bushes and tree branches in the mountains, the world made some stews duly seasoned with 'deep concern', 'very deep concern' on the developments in Kosova."
The blistering summer that froze the hearts of hundreds and thousands of Albanians was among the hardest winters of Western civilization. This happens now that Europe has no self-questioning elite to question the values the establishment enforces in the society.", Mr. Hamiti writes, slamming the European response.
The author then comes back to the reality in Kosova, "at the close of summer, the beginning of winter", as he puts it.
"In Kosova, the idea of an interim settlement with Serbs - with a time frame of three to five years - has been introduced. Kicked off by Belgrade, warmly accepted by the Americans and Russians, the idea has been thrust to the weary Albanians. The official Prishtina, embodied in the Office of the President of the Republic, said 'yes' to the idea," the author sums up the situation of the last week.
"The problem is the idea is married with a ready-made substance.
Words that have leaked from this private process of epistolary negotiations say that, such as it has been designed and redesigned by Belgrade and the Washington envoys, the solution that is on offer at present is pro-Serbian. The one that has been drafted by the Kosova negotiating team is believed to be pro-Kosovar."
The writer, Mr. Hamiti, criticizes what he calls 'blocking off' and 'scaling down' of official information on atrocities and destruction during the Serbian aggression in Kosova. The Western officials have been doing this with statements like 'there has been destruction, but not that much', 'there is no verified information', 'there are allegations that human rights have been abused' in Kosova, he notes. "Western quarters will now try to settle down the thing and appease their consciousness by laying the blame on the [Kosova] Albanian side", the author notes, referring to the interpretation of the VOA Friday evening in the wake of the unveiling of the interim settlement idea for Kosova. The Albanian rather than the Serb side is now the problem, the VOA correspondent said portraying the current state of the affairs. "And no doubt the Albanians were at fault from the very beginning, for they have not accepted Serbian rule and occupation", the Informatori writer said ironically.
At the end of his reflections, the author says the "morality of office demands that Albanian officials, first and foremost the President of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, tell their electorate something more before they accept even in principle something that fastens or unfastens the fate of Kosova. For the idea precedes everything."
To say 'no' is a civic and official courage and imperative when the arrangement is unfavourable." Muhamet Hamiti concludes his article in Informatori evening newspaper.

Kosova Information Center
Last page!

KOSOVA (victims - Rahovec)
New victims in Rahovec

Prishtina, 6 September (ARTA) 1900CET--
According to the Prishtina based CDHRF, on 5 September at 1530CET, four unidentified corpses were buried in Prizren cemetery. The corpses were brought to the town's morgue on 1 September, while the Serb offensive was taking place over the region of Vërrin.
The same day when identified, Naip (Garip) Berisha (25) from Prizren, killed during the same attack, was also buried.
In the Serb attack against the village of Denjë (Rahovec municipality), 11 people were killed. Victims, aged between 2 and 50, were buried the same day.
On the other hand, there are 10 wounded people from this village in the Prizren Hospital. "KD" sources claim that the offensive continues, although at a lower intensity. However, the burning of Albanian houses and property has not stopped.
Witnesses that had great difficulties reaching Prizren from that direction claim that the civilian population has been massacred and that a large number of wounded remain confined in basements of the burned houses and/or have found shelter in the surrounding mountains.
Prizren hospital has accommodated 20-wounded coming from the war zones. Four of them are from the area of Vërrin and 16 come from the villages of Rahovec. In the meantime, KD was informed that Resmije (Fahri) Kryeziu (21F), from Lubiçevë, was hospitalized today.
The wave of arrests continues. Local sources claim that several people were arrested yesterday in the Tusus neighborhood, and that many others were physically mistreated, including Nazim Kastrati, person with disabilities.
On the other hand, over 150 people that had been arrested in the past days and kept in detention during the whole time were released today from the police station in Prizren. They were taken to the bus station in town waiting for transport in the direction of Rahovec. It was reported that the majority of them were tortured. Thanks to the organization of the local CDHRF branch as well as the ICRC, they were transported back to their homes on two buses.

KOSOVA (victims – Gjakovë)
A massacred Albanian found in the village of Kodrali

Gjakovë, 6 September (ARTA) 2130CET --
The recent offensive of the Serb military and police forces against the Dushkajë area and the municipal villages of Rahovec and Anadrini resulted with more killings, burnt houses and missing people. Sources from the ground claim that Ali (Hazyr) Kalimashi (37) was found massacred in the village of Kodrali.
Children Nezrie Hoti (5) from Ratkoc and Ismet (Hazir) Morina (14) from Vrajakë, were wounded and were admitted in the Gjakovë hospital. Last evening, the town of Gjakovë resembled the Wild West. Serb police forces that were coming back from the battlefields, provoked the citizens of Gjakovë, by shooting at random and insulting them.

KOSOVA (hostages - Malishevë)
Many hostages were kept in the school building

Panorc, 6 September (ARTA) 1940CET--
The drama of the majority of the hostages kept in the Panorc elementary school ended last night at 1900CET with their liberation. However, there is no way to know the exact number of people that were being kept hostage, as different sources give different estimations on the above. During the time several hundreds of people were kept inside, they were threatened, provoked and sworn at by the police. Some of them, that had their names in the police lists, were beaten. The Serb media, on the other hand, took different camera shots of them while in the school.
According to the claims of some of the released, the police detained over 10 people the majority of them being from Volljakë and Gremnik, aged between 25-60. There is also fear that a certain number of people from Panorc proper have been abducted, and their whereabouts are still unknown.
In the place called Vrellë, the Serb military have looted and burned some 100 vehicles and all food and non-food items they found around. In Llapçevë proper, people came back to see the terrifying results of the Serb offensive over their village. According to local inhabitants, over 700 Serb soldiers had surrounded the population of this village in the forest nearby. When they started burning the houses, they forced the people to go to the village and observe how their houses and properties were burning to the ground. According to the local people, around 70% of the houses were completely destroyed.
The withdrawal of the Serb forces from this village last night, ended with the burning of the Albanian national flag and of the ruins of the elementary school building.

KOSOVA (IDPs - Malishevë)
Life very difficult for IDPs

Malishevë, 6 September (ARTA) 1920CET--
The deterioration of the weather conditions and the heavy rain that poured last night and continued today during the day has made the situation of the IDPs even more serious. The worst is the situation of IDPs that have found refuge in the woods and that have still not managed to improvise provisional shelter. As a consequence of these conditions, nine-month-old Kujtesë (Arsim) Hajdaraj, from Llapçevë died last night.
Local sources inform that this area was visited by the American delegation composed of John Shattuck and Robert Dole. Among others, they visited the village of Mirushë where they got first hand information on the humanitarian situation of the local and displaced population.

KOSOVA (IDPs - Deçan)
Eleven families in one house

Deçan, 6 September (ARTA) 2000CET--
Since May, the village of Broliq has increased its population. 850 people in 93 houses originally inhabited this village. However, the number of IDPs has substantially increased the number of people that now live in it -- it is estimated that some 2 thousand people have found shelter in it.
Apart from the houses, people have found accommodation in all accessory buildings that hadn't been used for a long time.
In one single household, 70 people making 11 families have found accommodation. Similar is the situation with the other households that are hosting between 50 and 60 people in average.
The majority of the displaced families has managed to take any food or clothing when they escaped their villages. The local population provides food and clothing to them.
The humanitarian assistance that has reached this village has been rather symbolic. So far, only 600 kilos of flour were distributed and very sixth member of a displaced family received one liter of kitchen oil.

KOSOVA (aiming at new colonies - Istog)
Serbia provides construction material for new colonies

Istog, 6 September (ARTA) 2030CET--
The war in Kosova is serving the Serb state to, in the name of gathering assistance for local Serbs, collect construction material in different towns of Serbia aiming at constructing new Serb colonies in Kosova. Thus, in past week in Istog, over 100 trucks full of construction material have been unloaded. Apart from being unloaded in the "distribution center" in the village of Osojan, part of the material was distributed to the Serb refugees from Bosnia and Croatia that have been allocated construction lots in the municipality.

KOSOVA (trade-union communiqué)
Half of the Albanian population engulfed in the conflict

Prishtina, 6 September (ARTA) 2000CET --
Kosova’s Housing Trade Union informs that almost half of the Kosova people are already experiencing the humanitarian catastrophe, while the conflict starting since February has engulfed 1.260.000 people from 11 municipalities of Kosova.
According to the data of this Trade Union, 720 people were killed from 28-30 February, 800 people are evidenced missing, while another 10.000 were maltreated.
Compared to the data of this TU issued one month ago, 270 recent cases of killing and 3.000 cases of maltreatment were evidenced.
According to the Trade Union, the number of the displaced people has reached 405.259 so far. This means that the figure given one month ago, increased for new 100.000 IDPs. Also the number of the devastated dwellings (which was 251 one month ago) has increased.
"They are 316 war striken dwellings, which apparently represents the real dimension of the military operations and destruction " is stated in the communiqué of Trade Union.
There are claims that 35.185 buildings are damaged, burnt, destroyed or looted.
Taking into account the above written evaluations of the Trade Union "250.000 people remain homeless and they cannot return home if they are not offered help". The Trade Union estimates the material damage to be 5 billion dollars.
According to the Trade Union data..., the humanitarian catastrophe has mostly encompassed the Prizren municipality with 200.000 people, then municipalities of Pejë and Mitrovicë with 150.000 people. In the municipalities of Skënderaj, Gllogoc, Gjakovë, Vushtrri, Rahovec, Klinë, Suharekë and Deçan, the number of the people affected by war is approximately 100.000 or bigger.
The communiqué states that an efficient mobilization in the areas that are presently not endangered by war, is essential. Kosova Trade Union for Housing has collected data since the beginning of the conflict in Kosova. The results were published through the official communiqués at the end of every month.

KOSOVA (asylum-seekers – Germany)
Germany is anxious about the new flux of refugees from Kosova?

Bonn, 6 September (ARTA) 1700CET --
Around 140.000 asylum-seekers from Kosova, whose demands were rejected, are already staying in Germany. Regardless the preventive measures which are being undertaken by the German Interior Ministry, in order to halt the eventual flux of new Kosovars into Germany, both official and unofficial indicators show a significant increase of their number in this country. During the course of July, 8.484 people have applied for asylum. Namely, this figure is 7.9% bigger compared to June. Most of the asylum-seekers are from Kosova (3.002) and from Turkey (1.076). According to the official data of Federal Interior Ministry, during August, 3.457 people from Kosova have applied for asylum. This is for 455 more compared to July and 653 more compared to June 1998.
This means, that during the August 8.378 people have sought asylum and this figure is for 106 less than from one month ago.
The German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel, who is currently running his pre-election campaign, is engaged to structure a program, which would be a kind of common European "Law" within the EU framework. This implies the attempt to share the "refugee burden" which Germany so far has carried mostly itself, since it has the biggest number of refugees (especially from ex-Yugoslavia) and it spent 20 billion-DM for this purpose.
Accordingly, Minister Kanther has enforced his Police units around the border (BGS), and they proudly inform every time when they capture groups of refugees who try to get into German territory.
Last weekend in Sachsen and Schleswig-Holstein, attempts of 100 foreigners who tried to get into Germany were prevented.
Around 82 Kosova Albanians were caught in Sachsen, trying to get into Germany from Czech Republic, while in Puttgarden, 25 Iraqis who were trying to reach Denmark were also detained.

KOSOVA (Shattuck and Dole in Kosova)
Shattuck: "Belgrade shouldn't turn the sight away from the catastrophe it has created"

Prishtina, 6 September (ARTA) 2000CET--
"...Senator Dole and myself have explored the situation since we came two days ago. During this period, we had the chance to meet the political leadership, academicians and religious leaders of Kosova and speak directly with eyewitnesses and victims of human rights crimes. What senator Dole and I have seen is a tremendous violation of human rights and a high level of punishing acts.
...We are deeply concerned about the bad situation of the refugees and the fact that each day that passes gets us closer to the humanitarian catastrophe. If the authorities don't undertake urgent measures to stop massive shelling of the civilians and destruction of villages, many of the thousands of people that fear to go back home will face the threat of cold and starvation. Belgrade shouldn't turn the sight away from the catastrophe it has created.
...All what we have seen proves the urgent need for the investigation by The Hague War Tribunal. In the meantime, the serious violation of human rights proves the urgent need for a free access of the international NGOs and agencies in all of Kosova. Belgrade should stop the practice of not granting visas to them. The freedom of access for all should be reinstalled..."

KOSOVA (Shattuck and Dole in Kosova)
Dole: This is a war against civilians for political purposes

Prishtina, 6 September (ARTA) 2000CET--
"...We met Albanian and Serb mothers whose sons have disappeared. As the Chairman of the International Commission on the Missing in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia, I have met with mothers of disappeared in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia, countries that have registered over 20 thousand missing. All mothers wish to know more about their children. In this aspect, I plan to exert pressure on President Milosevic tomorrow, asking for visas for the international forensic teams. These teams are ready to help in Kosova, however, they have been waiting for months to get visas granted, without any reply.
...We have also listened to the statements of eyewitnesses of some of the crimes reported by the press. These testimonies were terrifying. American and European leaders have promised that no crimes against humanity that have occurred in Bosnia will take place in Kosova. However, based on what I have seen during this weekend, such crimes are taking place.
...It is obvious that this is a humanitarian catastrophe and it's dimensions will be terrible. Anyhow, we all must have it clear that the problem in Kosova is not a humanitarian problem by definition. This is a political and military crisis, whose symptoms are of a humanitarian crisis. This is a war against civilians for political purposes…"

KOSOVA (EU summit)
The agreement between Hill and Milosevic should be taken with reserves...

Salzburg, 6 September (ARTA) 2130CET --
The EU Foreign Ministers, concluded that as long as the Serb forces go on with burning Albanian villages one by one, the agreement between Hill and Milosevic about autonomy for Kosova, should be taken with reserves.
Notwithstanding, they estimate this agreement (surprisingly still unknown for Albanians) could be a step (even though small) in the right direction.
As it is known, the criticism of the American Ambassador Chris Hill towards the EU for "mocking words and passive attitude", made a certain impact on the EU Ministers, indulging the desire for competition with Americans.
The proposal given by German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel, for the appointment a special EU envoy to Kosova, was supported in principle by all, including the Chairman of the European Commission, Jacques Santer.
"Besides this, we also agreed to send an additional group of 45 observers in Kosova, who will help the refugees return to their homes", claimed Schuessel, speaking on behalf of the EU presidency.
He adds further that, EU strongly supports Ibrahim Rugova, "because even in this hard, unfavorable and critical situation for his people, he expressed his readiness to talk with Serbs", stressed the Austrian Minister.
Accordingly, the German Minister Kinkel, speaking on behalf of the EU "troika", stated that, Milosevic must be aware that NATO has accomplished its plans for a military intervention if there is a need for it.
Kinkel added further that Europe must show its flag in Kosova and "it doesn't suit an American Ambassador to address such cynical accusations against the EU. We agreed to send a special envoy to Kosova, in order to be present in the future negotiations between Prishtina and Belgrade", trying to show that the EU does not bow in front of USA.
Notwithstanding, regarding the statements given in the EU summit, one can easily conclude that EU’s concept for the solution of Kosova problem, relies mainly on the humanitarian aspect.

KOSOVA (EU summit)
EU angry with Hill-demands a special mediator for Kosova

Salzburg, 6 September (ARTA) 2200CET --
The US special envoy to Kosova, Ambassador Chris Hill, criticized EU on Thursday for leaving Kosova and "FRY" out of its "court", and EU leaders for "murmuring mocking words about the common currency 'Euro', instead of halting the conflict in those areas".
According to the diplomatic circles of the delegations that participated in the Salzburg session, EU countries still think that a NATO intervention in Kosova will not change the situation in the field. The EU Ministers, precisely, the "troika" ministers, assess that KLA presents a "strategic problem" after the recent proposal of Milosevic for a status of autonomy for Kosova. They confess that Milosevic has caused the conflict, but "the prevailing situation is also affected by the KLA".
Among the diplomatic circles in Salzburg, various standpoints regarding the confirmations for an agreement between Milosevic and Chris Hill prevail. No one suspects the existence of such an agreement, but some of the delegations of the EU member states, regard this agreement not only with pessimism but also with fear.
Milosevic’s proposal for the postponement of the final solution for the Kosova problem for three years, makes apparent his aim to gain in time and ensure a final solution which suits him.
"Until then, he can change the ethnic structure of Kosova, with the silent approval of West. Thus, he will put the remaining Albanians in proportional number with Serbs, and other minorities in ghettos. In fact this is the quintessential objective of the agreement between Milosevic and Hill", claims a source close to the Spanish delegation.

KOSOVA (KD reportage – Drenica)
"When our children will start perishing from cold, these current deaths will look like peace of cake"

Drenica, September (ARTA) 1800CET --
Muhamet Morina (55) lives temporarily in a makeshift cottage covered with leaves and wrapped with plastic sheeting, situated in one of the Drenica hills.
He speaks with a significant depression: "I don't have any other choice but commit suicide". Muhamet comes from village of Gllarevë. He was compelled to flee from his village, because his house was burnt by Serb police forces. He has nine children, from 12-20 years of age.
They are now living "under the open sky", same as thousands of other Albanians who are displaced from their houses. "Almost all the houses of Gllarevë were burnt the same as my house – they want to prevent us from going back home".
Are you going to go back?
"I was born here and I have lived here; where else can I go? Where can I be a guest for the rest of my life?
Therefore, the only choice is to return. I will return. Or, I will die".
Gllarevë, a village located along the Prishtina-Pejë road, is completely ruined. This is apparent even just driving by it. It seems that there is no hope for Muhamet to return home in a near future.
"I have been staying in this forest since four months ago. Only thanks to the local population we managed to survive" he claims, smoking a cigarette.
"Is there any honest people in the world who would allow children to suffer, as our children are suffering. Is there anything worse than not being able to give your child something he asks for?"
Muhamet always speaks of the suffering of his children, even though apparently he is not in a good health either. Meanwhile, children sitting in a corner of the cottage, do not say a word.
At the entrance of this cottage-house, a stove was meeting our view. A dish filled with flour and salt (which is the only food of this family with 11 members) was boiling on it. The humidity caused by the recent rains could be felt. Muhamet's wife who was taking care of "lunch", initially waved at us, but afterwards burst in tears. A bride from this family is in the fifth month of pregnancy, and they do not have any medicament, which is necessary. We were told that her daughter in law was traumatized from the shelling and it is possible that she’ll lose her baby.
"You see how they kill our kids. Even before being born. The massacre is not necessarily committed only with knives".
As they claim, 5.000 people have sought shelter in this place. They are staying in the make shift cottage-houses which they have "build" since six weeks ago. In the first wink, all this seems impossible, but when exploring in details an area of two square kilometers, one is convinced.
Nevertheless, Muhamet, tries to explain the hardship of such a life. "Staying in prison is far better than this. There you can see and feel the beating and sometimes you can even get food" he claims, as being one among many Albanians who were maltreated by the police in the past .
"Half of Gllarevë people became insane, because of the shelling. So even when freedom comes, it will be useless for them" he says desperately, aware that he himself is from the same village.
Some days ago, a shell fell near his "house" and wounded two women. One of them died lacking the first aid. However, "when our children will start to die from cold, these current deaths will look like a peace of cake".
"Severe winters usually prevail here. If we remain in these forests during winter time, even God could not help us".
The main nutritive articles are flour, water, salt and sometimes oil. Every other food is luxury. Furthermore, since the weather is deteriorating they fear they will not get even these articles. He gave us a long list of necessary medicines.
One of his daughters was cleaning the "yard" in front of cottage house. "The Albanian tradition is to keep the house clean. So don't be surprised with my daughter" says Muhamet, while we were about to leave.
"There is no need to escort us" we told him.
"I will escort you as far as the gate", he says, even though he knew that the "gate" is the wider part of the cottage... nothing else. All other neighboring "houses" in this area were similar.
Muhamet saluted us with a smile... a smile nobody would like to wake up with in the morning.

Parliament passes government program on Kosova refugees

      TIRANA, Sept 6 (ATA) -By Ylli Pata: Albanian parliament approved on Monday a government program on the accommodation of refugees from Kosova and creation of a commission to supervise its implementation.
      Present at this special parliamentary session were deputy prime minister and minister of the local government Bashkim Fino, minister of Public Order Perikli Teta, Foreign minister Paskal Milo, minister of Finance Arben Malaj, minister of Public Economy Ylli Bufi, minister of Social Affairs Anastas Angjeli,minister of Agriculture and Food Lufter Xhuveli, minister of Education and Science Et'hem Ruka and Minister of Health Leonard Solis who voiced their views on the government program.
      The 12-point program read by the deputy premier Fino said that the government would adopt a series of measures to meet the needs of refugees from Kosova, to register them, provide aid and assistance for the local population in Tropoja and other areas where refugees have been settled and are expected to settle.
      Some 15 thousand refugees from Kosova (where 90 percent of the population are Albanians) mostly women and children have settled in Tropoja district, north of Albania, to escape Serb genocide.
      It also defined in details the removal of part of the refugees, or some five thousand people, from the Kukes prefecture to that of Diber and Shkodra. The removal will be done within September. /mima/ak/

Health ministry adopts measures to help Kosova refugees

      TIRANA, Sept 7 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: Albanian Health Ministry in cooperation with international bodies specialised in drafting working programs to examine people coming from Kosova for contagious diseases and provide free of charge health assistance to children and elderly people, a spokesman of the ministry said to ATA on Monday.
      The ministry has worked out a list of specialists in surgery and intensive care unit who are going to work during winter in health centers in Tropoja.
      Some 15 thousand refugees from Kosova, mostly women and children, fleeing Serb genocide are being settled in northern Albania, particularly in Tropoja district.
      The Albanian parliament approved on Monday a government program on a series of measures for people coming from Kosova, including their removal to other parts of Albania.
      "Until September, the Health Ministry will provide two ambulances for emergency and will cover problems of hygiene-sanitary and epidemic character for displaced people," the spokesman said. /mima/ak/

Vatican and Albanian embassy in Rome commemorate anniversary of death of Mother Teresa

      TIRANA, Sept 7 (ATA)-By I. Luto,
      The Albanian embassy in Rome along with cultural club "Scanderbeg", organised a cultural party on September 4 in commemoration of Mother Teresa, Albanian benefactor of world fame, the Foreign Ministry press department told ATA.
      A commemorative Mass was said on the first anniversary of death of Mother Teresa at the Cathedral of St Pietro in Vatican on September 5 in which took part 7000 people, also including religion and state figures.
      The ceremony was opened with a speech by Pope John Paul II who said that Mother Teresa should not be commemorated only in words, "but we should ask the heads of states to resolutely and honestly act on the road of disarmament, to destine the necessary resources for vast objectives of civilisation, to fight in unison against hunger and illness."
/mima/lm/

Eleven Albanians killed in two villages of Rahovec

      PRISHTINE, Sept. 6 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports:
At least 11 Albanians have been killed and scores of others wounded last Sunday by Serb forces in the past attack in villages Dejne and Polluzhe of Rahovec, sources of the Council of Defence of Human Rights in Kosove report.
      Many of the wounded are in a grave situation and without any medical assistance, say the reports. /das/xh/

Grave situation in villages of Dushkaje and Lugu i Baranit

      PRISHTINE, Sept. 7 (ata) -  During the past two days, the villages of Dushkaje and Lugu i Baranit, namely Cermjan, Kralan, Gerdoc, Dellove, Ceskova and Nepola have been burnt and destroyed, whereas yesterday Jabllanica was bombed, causing many wounded but with no reports so far, Kosove Information Centre reports.
      A night before, about 500 Albanians and another group of 60 people were held near village Kralan, and police killed one of them. The encircled Albanians have managed to escape and had found shelter in the villages in Lugu i Baranit. Sources from the field, which KIC refers to, say that a considerable number of Albanians continue to be kept in the catholic church of Glloxhan, while no reports are available for a number of villagers of Nepole who were going to the mountains. /das/xh/

U.S. charge on European complaisance in Kosovo infuriates German minister

Copyright © 1998 Nando.net
Copyright © 1998 Reuters News Service

SALZBURG, Austria (September 6, 1998 11:02 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) -
Germany's Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel lashed out at United States Balkans envoy Christopher Hill on Sunday, sharply rejecting his charge that Europe was indifferent to the fate of Kosovo.
     Incensed by criticism from the U.S. diplomat, who has shuttled tirelessly between the Yugoslav government and Kosovo's ethnic Albanians in search of peace, Kinkel berated Hill for a "cynical and condescending" attack unworthy of an ambassador.
     At the same time, however, the German minister said the European Union ought to quickly appoint its own "special envoy to Kosovo, a la Hill," to help broker a political settlement to the seven-month-old conflict.
     "I think we can and must show the flag down there much more," Kinkel told reporters at an EU foreign ministers meeting, in a bald remark exposing the basics of trans-Atlantic diplomatic rivalry.
     It was "not right" for Europe to leave the field to Hill alone, he added.
     In a speech in the United States on Friday, Hill charged that EU governments were indifferent to Kosovo and content to congratulate themselves on forging a so-called united Europe which conveniently leaves out the troublesome Balkans.
     "We are not the world's policeman," Kinkel snapped back.
     And he insisted that no one who had witnessed Europe's tremendous efforts in troops and investment to bring peace to Bosnia should dare cast doubt on the EU's commitment to peace and stability in the Balkans.
     Kinkel said he was exasperated by constant criticism of the EU for not resolving all the world's conflicts.
     "Such crises cannot be resolved from one day to the next," he said, likening Kosovo to Congo or Sudan. "We need a bit of patience. We can't cure everything," he told a news conference at the end of an informal weekend meeting of the 15-member EU.
     French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine also rejected Hill's criticism but limited himself to the comment that it had been a "remark better avoided."
     Kinkel said ministers had agreed to send 45 more observers to Kosovo to reassure some of the 265,000 ethnic Albanians driven from their villages by fighting that they could now return home.
     But many ethnic Albanians are disillusioned by what they see as no more than flag-showing, sound-bites and posturing by foreign powers whom they suspect have no intention of sending NATO troops into Kosovo, despite repeated threats to do.
     Yugoslav forces are in the seventh week of a province-wide offensive to roll back territorial gains by the over-extended KLA, and possibly to eradicate it as a significant force.
     In clear contrast to their warnings of military intervention provoked by a bloody crackdown in March, criticism from Western governments over the summer has been milder, treating the Kosovo conflict less as a war than a humanitarian crisis.
     Kinkel, who faces a general election later this month, has been by far the most vocal of EU foreign ministers on Kosovo in recent weeks, warning of a humanitarian crisis and a flood of refugees if nothing changes before winter sets in.
     He says Germany already hosts some 140,000 Albanian refugees and will not sit back passively while another human landslide builds up in Kosovo, headed for sanctuary in his country.
     But while the EU's bid to set up former Spanish prime minister Felipe Gonzalez as a Kosovo mediator has failed, American diplomatic efforts are showing signs of progress.
     Hill's quiet but persistent shuttle to launch political negotiations, along with a cease-fire between security forces and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) guerrillas, paid off last week when the government of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic agreed to discuss an interim solution.
     The Western powers, none of which has any appetite for NATO intervention to impose peace, continue to press for a start to talks that would give Albanian Kosovars autonomy but not the independent state they demand.
     The breakthrough formula announced by Hill last week bridges the gap between Belgrade and the Kosovar leaders by agreeing that the ultimate status of the province can be reopened for discussion three years after an interim accord.
     Kinkel said the EU welcomed the idea "cautiously" as a first step down a path that should be followed, but ministers were aware of previous false dawns and he remained skeptical.
     "One thing I am sure of," Kinkel said. "Milosevic is not going to win this confrontation."

By DOUGLAS HAMILTON, Reuters

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